Sweatpants & TV | Game of Thrones 5×05 – “Kill the Boy”

I know a lot of folks are getting frustrated, feeling that the pace is too slow and that there has not been enough action so far this season, but this episode has continued to set up dominoes… I have a feeling that something is going to hit those dominoes very soon.

*Caution: spoilers ahead!

What Happened:

The episode opens in Meereen, where Missandei sits with Grey Worm as he recovers from his wounds and Daenerys is mourning Ser Barristan. In her rage and her grief, Dany orders the capture of the leaders of each of Meereen’s Great Families – including Hizdhar zo Loraq, who has acted as her emissary with the Great Families and the Masters in other cities – and give them the opportunity to meet her children for dinner. And dine they do – or, at least, Rhaegal and Viserion do. As her dragons munch away on Great Family Leader Flambé, Dany wonders aloud about the guilt or innocence of the Great Families in the plot to massacre the Unsullied that took Ser Barristan from her.

Leaving her captives in suspense – the threat of feeding the leaders to her dragons hanging heavily over their heads , Dany seeks Missandei’s counsel in moving forward. Missandei reminds Daenerys that, sometimes, she does best when she disregards the advice she receives and, instead, follows a path only she can see. Dany does just that when she agrees to reopen the fighting pits and decides to marry Hizdhar zo Loraq.

Up on the Wall, Jon solicits Maester Aemon’s counsel about an action that he knows he must take that will be wildly unpopular among his sworn brothers. Maester Aemon gives Jon essentially the same advice that Missandei gave Dany: sometimes, a leader has to disregard the opinions of others and do what they know is right. So, Jon sits down with Tormund Giantsbane to work toward bringing the remaining Free Folk south of the Wall, knowing that if they do not, those Free Folk will be added to the White Walkers’ army of wights. Breaking the news of his plan to his brothers of the Night’s Watch goes every bit as poorly as Jon expects. Meanwhile, Stannis gives the order to march from the Wall to Winterfell, as delaying only tips the odds in the Bolton’s favor.

Just outside Winterfell, Brienne and Pod take up lodgings in the inn in winter town. Brienne sends word, by way of small folk and servants, to Sansa about how to communicate that she is in danger and needs help. That’s a pretty handy bit of information to have, since the rest of the time the episode spends in Winterfell is pretty much dedicated to reinforcing the fact that the Bolton’s are seriously twisted, sadistic assholes. To Sansa’s credit, having already suffered through a betrothal to Joffery, she takes the punches and powers through.

Finally, we join Tyrion and Jorah on their journey to Meereen. Jorah is taking the terrifying route through the ruins of Valyria on the Smoking Sea in order to avoid pirates taking Tyrion, the one “gift” that Jorah believes will ingratiate himself to his estranged queen. As they sail through the ruins, the two share a remembered poem about the Doom of Valyria and then HEY! It’s Drogon! While Tyrion and Jorah are busy being awestruck by the sight of a living dragon amid the ruins of the dragonlord’s homeland, the Stone Men ambush them. In the process of trying to fight them off, they lose the boat, Tyrion nearly drowns, and …Jorah’s contracted greyscale. Dun-dun-DUUUUUN!

What I Loved:

Missandei and Grey Worm – in a relatively bleak world, their friendship and budding romance is a source of hope and light. Plus, they are just adorable together.

Dany being A BOSS

Stannis correcting the grammar of the Night’s Watch

Ser Davos and Shireen’s interaction as they prepare to march on Winterfell

Sansa’s smirk when she discovers one of Ramsay’s pressure points

Tyrion’s face when he sees Drogon

What Could Have Been Better:

I really, really could have done without the father-son bonding over the story of how Ramsay was conceived by rape. Why did the writers even feel the need to include that scene? Did they think viewers were confused about the fact that the Bolton’s are among The Bad Guys™? I mean, we saw what Roose did to Catelyn and Robb; we saw what Ramsay did to Theon; their banner sports a flayed man FOR A REASON. I think we’re all pretty clear on the fact that these are not folks that you’d want to invite to your Labor Day barbeque; that scene was gross and unnecessary.

What I’m Looking Forward To:

I am really curious to see how Daenerys’ new plan for establishing peace in Meereen is going to play out as the season progresses. As much as I appreciated the break from King’s Landing this episode, I am looking forward to seeing how the capital is fairing in the face of the war Cersei is waging against her in-laws. And I am really anxious to see Arya as she continues to train in the House of Black and White.

Best Lines

“Who is innocent? Maybe all of you are, maybe none of you are. Maybe, I should let my dragons decide.” – Daenerys

“You will find little joy in your command, but, with luck, you will find the strength to do what needs to be done. Kill the boy, Jon Snow. Winter is almost upon us. Kill the boy, and let the man be born.” – Maester Aemon

“For eight-thousand years the Night’s Watch have sworn an oath to be the shield that that guards the realms of men. And for eight-thousand years we’ve fallen short of that oath. You belong to the realms of men. All of you.” – Jon Snow

“Fewer.” – Stannis Baratheon

“This isn’t a strange place. This is my home. It’s the people who are strange.” – Sansa

“Long, sullen silences and an occasional punch in the face: the Mormont Way.” – Tyrion

1 Comment on Sweatpants & TV | Game of Thrones 5×05 – “Kill the Boy”

The Bolton storyline in the books was even more detailed and horrifying. There were parts that got so bad I had to put the books down. I absolutely hate everything to do with that entire storyline SO MUCH.

That said, with the departure of the show from the books, it’s a little more exciting for me to watch the show, not knowing what will happen.

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As someone who also can no longer drink and who deals with some stuff, I can tell you that we never want people to feel bad for making drinking references or to feel like they can't enjoy themselves around us. Offer sympathy but keep treating her as you always have. Maybe check in more. But don't grieve any harder than she is, because she'll end up carrying that, too, and she'll worry about your feelings. You sound like a good friend. Just keep being one.

Reading your post this afternoon. Did you look into my heart? My friend from college, now 30+ years ago has pulmonary hypertension and is in failing health. She’s 54 with a limited life expectancy. Yesterday, I sent a picture for cute-as-can-be mason jar shot glasses that I found in a discount store to a former coworker. We’ve kept in touch via FB and messaging. She comments the glasses are cute but she doesn’t drink anymore. Then she txts she has Lupus. The world falls from beneath me. I wondered around the store for maybe another 20 minutes. Numb. Exchanging texts with this friend. And I felt so bad about that picture. And I felt guilty for my health. And i was ashamed of my feeble replies to her. So regular sad is sometimes at the foot of my bed. Or greets me at the door after work and I find my dog has once again pooped in the house and chewed up an ink pen or shredded a book. But today I’m big sad. Last night, crawled in the covers beside me and sits just out of sight. But here. I’m ashamed of myself. With all my bills paid, manageable expenses. And now two people who have shackles of worry and fear and other feelings I couldn’t even begin to imagine. If only crawling through broken glass could convey us to the other side

My girlfriend's and I get together rarely and there's actually 2 different groups but it's always fun! They're infrequent but always special! I am the type of person that rolls with the flow and if we can arrange it, great! But it's not expected or required and that makes our get-togethers special!